Stargazers and keen astronomy fans are in for an absolute treat this month as a spectacular meteor shower is set to dazzle UK skies.
Taking its name from the constellation of Perseus, where many of the meteors originate, the Perseid Meteor Shower is described as being “one of the most dramatic things to see in the night sky”, according to the Royal Astronomical Society, and is one of the highlights of many meteor hunters’ calendars thanks to its high hourly rate and bright meteors.
There’s potential for up to 100 shooting stars an hour to be seen with the naked eye.
If that wasn’t impressive enough as it is, there’s is also a high chance of seeing the brightest meteors known as ‘fireballs’, as well as meteors with long trains.
The Royal Astronomical Society explains that this showstopping astronomical event is caused by the Earth slamming into the debris that’s been left behind by the comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle in July and August every year.
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Despite each meteor being mostly no bigger than a grain of sand in reality, they still manage to produce an eye-catching shooting stream of light in the sky as they burn up after hitting the Earth’s atmosphere at around. 130,000 mph.
As far as 2023 is concerned, the Perseid Meteor Shower is already active and has been since 17 July, with the event expected to continue right through until 24 August – but luckily for us here in the UK, the shower will peak and be at its most spectacular next weekend on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 August.
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And what’s more, is that meteor showers are known to be very easy to watch too, with no special equipment needed, so even amateur stargazers and budding astronomers can get in on the action and witness the spectacle with their own eyes – but when exactly is the best time to see the shooting stars? Where is the best place to head to? And how is best to prepare?
Here’s everything you need to know.
What’s the best way to see a meteor shower?
The most crucial thing to do is plan ahead, and check the unpredictable British weather forecast before you head out, as if the day you’ve picked to dedicate to seeing the meteor shower is overcast or just generally grim, the Royal Astronomical Society suggests finding a different location or going out on a different day.
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The days leading up to the peak are usually better than the days after.
In this instance, binoculars and telescopes will restrict the size of the sky that’s visible to you, so no binoculars and telescopes are necessary.
Where’s the best place to head to?
Observers can keep an eye out for the Perseid meteor shower wherever they are, but according to the Royal Astronomical Society, there are a few certain kinds of places that will increase your chances of spotting meteors.
Meteors can appear in any part of the sky, so the more sky you can see the better.
It’s also suggested that you find an area with a clear view of the horizon and away from trees and buildings, as well as reduce the amount of light pollution in your field of view, so this could mean heading out to the countryside or a nearby park, if you can.
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If not, apparently you can even do something as simple as turning your back to street lamps for a better chance at catching the action.
What’s the best time to catch all the action?
As already mentioned, the Perseid meteor shower is active between 17 July and 24 August this year, with the number of meteors set to increase every night until it reaches its peak next weekend, and then after which, it’ll tail off.
The peak falls on the night of the 12th and before dawn on 13 August, with the maximum being about three days before the New Moon this year when conditions are the most “favourable”.
The Royal Astronomical Society says the best time to see anything in the night sky is when the sky is darkest and when the target is at its highest position in the sky, so for meteor showers, this usually means between midnight and around 5:30am.
Find out more about the Perseid Meteor Shower here.
Everything inside the Sephora VIP goodie bags worth more than £1,000
Daisy Jackson
Sephora opening in Manchester has been causing a bit of a stir, with more than 2,000 people queueing up this week to try and nab a free goodie bag.
And while the presents being handed out to the public are pretty impressive, it’s nothing compared to the VIP goodie bags given out at the store’s official launch on Wednesday.
A number of celebrities, influencers, press and other special guests were invited to have a sneak peek of the huge new shop at the Trafford Centre before its official opening to the public.
At the glittering celebration, VIPs were given a glimpse at the huge range of products on offer inside Sephora’s first UK store outside of London.
Those in attendance included actor and TV presenter actor Katie Mcglynn, TV personality Caroline Thomas, actress Alex Fletcher and radio one presenter Natalie O’Leary, Real Housewives of Cheshire, Love Island personalities, and professional footballer Courtney Duffus.
Special guests of Sephora were then sent home with the goodie bag to end all goodie bags, stuffed full of full-sized cult products.
And having totted up the value of everything inside, we can confirm that each goodie bag is worth more than a grand (£1092.93, to be exact). Wowsers.
Viral products inside include Makeup By Mario lipstick, Olaplex, Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, Glossier You perfume, and MorrocanOil hair treatments.
There are also TikTok sensations like the Dr Jart Tiger Grass treatment, which comes out of its tub green but magically turns beige on the skin, cancelling out redness.
And Tarte’s take on the revolutionary tubing mascara, which comes off your lashes with only water and a wipe, was also chucked in.
The most high-value items in the Sephora goodie bags were an Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream worth £64, Caudalie’s brightening serum at £52, and a Neom candle for £38.
Mancs can apply to be paired up with two potential partners for a ‘unique’ Channel 4 dating show
Emily Sergeant
Those who consider themselves to be pretty unlucky-in-love can now apply to take part in one of the most “unique” dating shows on TV.
Following the undoubted success of the first series – which has been airing on E4 for the past couple of weeks now, before concluding last Thursday (9 May) – Channel 4 has now put out a nationwide casting call for people to take part in the next series of its newest dating game show, Love Triangle.
And the show’s producers are calling on singletons from Greater Manchester to stick an application in.
Mancs can apply to be paired up with two potential partners for a ‘unique’ TV dating show / Credit: Channel 4
Unfamiliar with Love Triangle?
Based off the US and Australian programmes of the same name, the UK version is a so-called “supersized” take on the show, and it seeks to “turn everything you know about dating on its head”.
In what is a first of its kind for UK television, the brand-new relationship format asks six courageous singles to reject all the conventions and pitfalls of modern app-based dating in favour of a “radical” new approach.
Channel 4 is currently casting across the UK for the next series of Love Triangle / Credit: Channel 4
The six contestants will first choose a love match from two potential suitors.
One match embodies each single’s usual wants, type, and desires, while the other reflects their deeper and more “fulfilling” romantic needs.
After choosing one of the suitors to date, the other will then make a “shocking surprise return” to form a love triangle, and then, after dating and living with both suitors, each single faces a choice – they must pick one of their matches to “pursue lasting love”.
The casting call for contestants on the Channel 4 website reads: “In this unique relationship series reflecting dating in the real world, unlucky-in-love singles are matched with two potential partners, who each tick different boxes of their wants and needs, in the hopes of finding long-lasting love.”
To apply for the show, you just need to be 18 years of age or older, a resident of the UK, and crucially, single and “looking for love”.